The Caribbean healthcare system has progressed significantly in recent years, transitioning to modern facilities such as Dominica’s Marigot Hospital and the Owen King European Union Hospital (OKEU) in St Lucia owing to well-defined health policies and funding and support from international institutions like the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO). Region-wide, from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico to Cuba and the Bahamas, each island has its own healthcare infrastructure.
Citizens of countries like the Bahamas and Cuba have access to high-quality public and private care facilities, whereas territories like Puerto Rico go beyond standard health services by providing a VA Caribbean Health Care system to retired American war veterans.
This guide will examine the healthcare system in Caribbean countries, including the differences in medical facilities, healthcare services, vaccine considerations, and health insurance for expats. We’ll also shed light on the VA Caribbean Healthcare System, helping US veterans living in the region’s US territories.
Healthcare for Expats in the Caribbean
While the Caribbean’s healthcare system offers high-quality services and is generously funded through Caribbean taxes, expats considering relocating to the Caribbean should get full coverage healthcare insurance. Having cash on hand is also recommended, as some Caribbean hospitals and clinics operate on a pay-first system.
St Kitts and Nevis
The St Kitts and Nevis healthcare system is praised for combining modern medical centers, hassle-free access to advanced and specialized healthcare services, and physicians with credentials from elite medical schools in the United States. Well-equipped hospitals and medical centers, such as the Joseph N. France General Hospital and Alexandra Hospital, provide general and emergency services, advanced diagnostic tests, and maternal and neonatal care.
St Kitts and Nevis established the Mental Health Service System Enhancement Project in association with Taiwan (Republic of China) and has launched healthcare policies with international institutions like the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). This demonstrates the government’s commitment to enhancing St Kitts and Nevis’s healthcare system. The 2024 Human Development Report (HDR) from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ranked St Kitts and Nevis first among CARICOM countries, with a significant contributor being the health and life expectancy of St Kitts and Nevis citizens.
The Bahamas
As a cornerstone of the region’s tourism industry and home to many American expats, the Bahamas has established a reputation as the Caribbean island with the best healthcare. The Pan American Health Organization released data on the country’s healthcare expenditures in 2020, showing that 4.6 percent of GBP and 15.7 percent of total public expenditures were spent on healthcare.
Residents have access to advanced medical services in three hospitals in Nassau and Freeport:
- Princess Margaret Hospital
- Doctors Hospital
- Rand Memorial Hospital
Expats with comprehensive healthcare insurance can seek care at private hospitals, including Lyford Cay Hospital in Nassau and the Medical Pavilion in Freeport. For serious cases, expats living on other islands in the Bahamas will need medical evacuation.
Cuba
Despite its economic troubles, Cuba’s medical tourism industry thrives, and excellent facilities are available to private patients. Some of the best hospitals in the Caribbean are located in Santiago de Cuba and Havana, the capital city. It is worthwhile to have a comprehensive insurance plan and sufficient cash for upfront payment.
Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras is the best general hospital in the country and offers a range of treatments, from emergency trauma care to non-communicable diseases. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) and OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) reported that Cuba had over eight doctors per 1,000 population, significantly more than the next Caribbean country with under four.
Centro Internacional de Restauração Neurológica (International Center of Neurological Restoration) in Havana is globally renowned and competes toe-to-toe with the best neurological treatment facilities in the United States, Germany, and South Korea.
In May 2024, Ivonne Pedroso, head of the clinic’s Movement Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases department, announced the introduction of two new non-invasive brain stimulation procedures at the hospital clinic, significantly improving non-motor and motor symptoms caused by diseases like Parkinson’s.
Barbados
Public and private medical care standards vary across Barbados. The country’s two primary medical facilities-Queen Elizabeth Hospital Barbados and Bayview Hospital-are two of the best hospitals in the Caribbean.
Based on findings from the World Bank, Barbados spent 8.09 percent of its GDP on healthcare in 2021. Additionally, the World Bank released a study of health in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2023, which placed Barbados at the top of life expectancy in the Caribbean in 2021 with 79.3 years. This reflects Barbados’ effective healthcare services, preventative care and education, and effective public health policies.
Antigua and Barbuda
Citizens and expats living in Antigua and Barbuda can access a level of care that competes with most developed countries. The largest medical facility is St John’s Medical Center, a 185-bed medical facility and Caribbean teaching hospital.
While the standard of Caribbean hospital facilities for citizens and foreign retirees in Antigua and Barbuda varies, a driving force behind the country’s renowned healthcare system relates to its medical professionals. Extensive data collection from the World Bank Latin America and the Caribbean health study in 2023 ranked Antigua and Barbuda highly among Caribbean countries in terms of medical professionals per population. Key statistics included:
- Most nurses per 1,000 population (2022)
- Third most doctors per 1,000 population (2022)
- Most psychologists per 100,000 population (2020)
- Second most community health workers per 1,000 population (2019)
Caribbean VA Healthcare System
The VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS) services US veterans across 11 locations in two US Caribbean territories. The VA Healthcare System in the Caribbean offers various services, including mental health support, specialty care, and social programs and services for veterans in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint Croix.
Caribbean VA Healthcare System
The VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS) services US veterans across 11 locations in two US Caribbean territories. The VA Healthcare System in the Caribbean offers various services, including mental health support, specialty care, and social programs and services for veterans in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint Croix.
Primary VA Medical Facility | |
Health care facility: | San Juan VA Medical Center |
Address: | San Juan VA Medical Center, 10 Calle Casia, San Juan, PR 00921-3201 |
Phone no.: | +1-787-641-7582 |
Mental health care line: | +1-787-622-4822 |
VA Health Centers | |
Health care facility: | Ceiba VA Clinic |
Address: | PR-3, Kilometers 54.9, Lot 3 Pueblo Ward, PR 00735 |
Phone no.: | +1-787-522-2662 |
Mental health care line: | +1-787-622-4822 |
Health care facility: | Saint Croix VA Clinic |
Address: | 10553 Kingshill, The Village Mall, Suite 113 St. Croix, VI 00850-4701 |
Phone no.: | +1-340-778-5553 |
Mental health care line: | +1-787-622-4822 |
Health care facility: | Saint Thomas VA Clinic |
Address: | 50 Estates Thomas, Suite 101 Saint Thomas, VI 00802 |
Phone no.: | +1-340-774-6674 |
Mental health care line: | +1-787-622-4822 |
VA Veteran Center | |
Health care facility: | Hatillo Vet Center |
Address: | 140 Carr. 2 Hatillo, PR 00659 |
Phone no.: | +1-787-879-4510 |
Health care facility: | Ponce Vet Center |
Address: | 1046 Hostos Avenue Ponce, PR 00716 |
Phone no.: | +1-340-841-3260 |
Health care facility: | San Juan Vet Center |
Address: | 7 Tabonuco Street Guaynabo, PR 00968 |
Phone no.: | +1-340-749-4409 |
More on Caribbean Healthcare
With differences in culture, democratic processes, and population density, healthcare standards in the Caribbean vary from island to island. Many expats live in islands across the Caribbean, and some of the best include Caribbean countries offering citizenship by investment, including Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis.
Take a look at our Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Comparison Guide
Emergency Telephone Numbers in the Caribbean
Country | Police | Ambulance | Fire |
Antigua and Barbuda | 911/999 | ||
The Bahamas | 911/919 | ||
Barbados | 211 | 511 | 311 |
Cayman Islands | 911 | ||
Cuba | 106 | 104 | 105 |
Dominica | 999 | ||
Grenada | 911 | ||
Guadeloupe | 112 | ||
Jamaica | 119 | 110 | |
Puerto Rico | 911 | ||
St Kitts and Nevis | 911 | ||
Saint Martin | 17 | 15 | 18 |
Trinidad and Tobago | 911/999 | 811 | 990 |
Caribbean Health Insurance for Expats
Foreigners considering retiring in the Caribbean should consider a comprehensive health plan to cover treatment and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The top providers of international health care plans in the Caribbean include Cigna Global Medical, Allianz Care, and Pan-American Life.
Before choosing a healthcare plan, check which healthcare providers have a network of clinics in your chosen region to seek treatment and easily clear payments, have a clear claim process, offer various medical services, include specialist visits, and cover evacuation.
American veterans enjoy free essential medical care and mental health care from the VA Caribbean Healthcare System.
Travelers who plan on exploring the best things to do in the Caribbean including adventure activities, should buy travel insurance before departure.
Core Factors to Identify the Best Caribbean Healthcare
Determining which countries offer the best healthcare in the Caribbean requires thorough research and consideration of your personal circumstances.
Healthcare factors you should consider before moving to the Caribbean include:
- Universal health coverage
- Number of public and private care facilities
- Number of general practitioners per 1,000 population
- Progressive public healthcare policies
- Cost of out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Inpatient and outpatient care
- Specialized treatments
- Emergency care
- Evacuation coverage
OECS Regional Health Project
The OECS Region Health Project is an initiative launched by Organization of Eastern Caribbean members in collaboration with the World Bank to improve the region’s health systems and responses to public health emergencies.
Successful applicants of the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program and citizenship programs offered by other OECS member states directly contribute to state funds used to upgrade facilities, implement progressive health policies, and establish preventative health care programs, leading to an improved quality of life for the region’s citizens.
Discover the Benefits of a Caribbean Passport
Frequently Asked Questions about Healthcare in the Caribbean
Healthcare in the Caribbean is excellent overall, but the quality of care depends on the country. Islands like the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and Puerto Rico have modern healthcare infrastructure and stress-free access for residents.
Often considered the Caribbean island with the best medical facilities, the US Virgin Islands (USVI) has modern hospitals and clinics and is equipped with advanced medical technologies as a territory of the United States. The VA Caribbean Healthcare System in the USVI provides comprehensive health care for war veterans through VA medical facilities located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Saint Thomas and Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands.
Jamaica’s private and public healthcare system is relatively efficient. The country is English-speaking, with a high number of medical professionals who receive training in some of the top medical schools in the United States. Private hospitals in Jamaica offer loads of services, but treatment is fairly expensive.
Cuba is home to the Caribbean’s best doctors, leading countries in the West Indies and Latin America in the number of doctors per 1,000. Besides general practitioners, Cuba has the most dentists per 1,000 population in the region, according to data from the 2023 Latin America and the Caribbean Health Study by the World Bank. Cuba’s highly regarded medical training system has established bilateral agreements and programs, which have seen Cuban doctors deployed to various countries.
Caribbean countries with the best healthcare systems include:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- The Bahamas
- Cuba
- Barbados
- Cayman Islands
- Puerto Rico
- Costa Rica
- Mexico
- St Kitts and Nevis
While vaccine recommendations for the Caribbean vary, websites like uhhospitals.org recommend the following vaccines: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), chickenpox, polio, and influenza. Senior citizens with age-related medical conditions should consider the shingles vaccine.
Research by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) established heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes as the Caribbean’s leading causes of death and most concerning health problems.
Caribbean healthcare is provided through diverse medical facilities, from basic clinics to larger, cutting-edge hospitals offering specialized treatments and procedures. Islands have their strong points, meaning evacuation to another island may be necessary in some instances.
Some consider Barbados the best Caribbean country for healthcare due to its leading medical infrastructure and facilities and highly qualified healthcare professionals in minor health issues and chronic diseases.
Caribbean healthcare systems differ from country to country. Caribbean countries with free healthcare offer government-funded universal health coverage, whereas others offer partially subsidized healthcare through national insurance schemes funded through taxes paid by employers and employees.
The Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS) provides services and support to retired US veterans, their dependents, and caregivers. VA hospitals are located in three Caribbean islands:
- Puerto Rico
- St Croix, US Virgin Islands
- St Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Caribbean VA health centers include the Arecibo VA Clinic in Arecibo, Puerto Rica, the Comerio VA Clinic in Comerio, Puerto Rico, the Saint Croix VA Clinic in St Croix, and the Saint Thomas VA Clinic in St Thomas.
Haiti’s healthcare system previously provided free healthcare to citizens. Unfortunately, prolonged political turmoil, financial hardship, and natural disaster events have collapsed the country’s healthcare infrastructure, leading to it having the worst Caribbean hospitals.
Health risks in Caribbean islands include mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever, Zika, and chikungunya. Cases of yellow fever and malaria are rare in the Caribbean.
Despite quality public and private medical facilities and services across the Caribbean, the region’s healthcare challenges include:
- Limited medical infrastructure
- Shortages of medical professionals due to brain drain
- Inadequate essential medications and technologies
What’s more is the hurricane risks in the Caribbean often disrupts healthcare services.
